Degree level



061:. 31, 1950 I J, -r2 2,527,961-

DEGREE LEVEL Filed July 30, 1948 IN V EN TOR.

76 4 E/ r J. Rani'z A; BY

Patented Oct. 31, 1950 DEGREE LEVEL Elmer J. Rantz, Roach, Mo.

Application July 30, 1948, Serial No. 41,449

1 Claim. 1

The present invention relates to an improved level of the bubble type wherein the bubble glass is mounted on an adjustable carrier, to the end that it can be set at various degrees of inclination from the horizontal for the purpose of leveling angles, such items as step risers, roof angles, etc.

An important object of the invention is to provide an adjustable level of the characterstated which can function as a protractor and which because of its simple construction can b actually manufactured at a cost no greater than most types of carpenters levels now on the market.

Another object of the invention is to provide a level of the character stated which can be readily detached from the level stock for the purpose of repairs, replacements or cleaning and also to the end that it can be employed independently as a level.

These and various other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent to the reader of the following description.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of the improved level,

Figure 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken on line 22 of Figure 1, and

Figure 3 is a fragmentary side elevational view looking at the opposite side of that shown in Figure 1.

Referring to the drawing, numeral 5 denotes the usual elongated body or stock of a carpenters level and this stock is formed intermediate its ends with a circular opening 6 therethrough.

Numeral 1 denotes a face plate, which may be of metal, plastic or any other desirable material having a cylindrical formation 8 projecting from the rear side thereof through the opening 6 in the stock 5. The face plate 1 has grooves 9 therein, into which are set in any suitable manner level glasses or tubes ID.

Th peripheral portion of the face plate I is beveled as at H and a short web or pointer l2 rises therefrom on a line exactly at right angles to the tubes 10.

The beveled surface I I is marked off in degrees as noted by numeral 13 and the adjacent surface of the stock 5 is also marked off in degrees and preferably boldly at 90 degree intervals.

In order to hold the face plate 1 against rotation, a detent I4 is provided and this detent consists of a knurled knob l5 having a beveled portion 16 merging with an elongated reduced threaded member I! capable of being fed into a threaded recess IS in the stock 5. By screwing 2 th detent inwardly, the beveled portion ll; of the detent will bind againstthe beveled surface or periphery ll of the face plate I and hold the face plate against rotation.

The annular wall 8 is substantially longer than the thickness of the stock 5 and its portion projecting beyond the side of the stock opposite from that of the face plate I is formed with threads and over this threaded portion is disposed an internally threaded ring I9, which has a beveled peripheral surface 20, the same having graduations [3a in the same manner as the beveled surface II and this side of the stock 5 is laid off in graduations the same as the opposite side. The ring [9 also has an upstanding web or pointer 2|. In the use and operation of the level, the degree of angle for any given surface work can be ascertained by first holding the level to the work structure and then unloosening the detent I l. The face Plate 1 with the bubble glass It] thereon is then turned until they read level. The detent is then tightened and the pointer l2 or the pointer 2| points to the particular angle at which the stock was disposed. The angles are marked in degrees on both sides of the level stock.

Obviously the bubbl unit can be removed so that it can form a level of its own, whenever the occasion demands. 7

While the foregoing description sets forth the invention in specific terms, it is to be understood that numerous changes in the shape, size and materials may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed hereinafter.

Having described the invention what is claimed as new is:

A carpenters level comprising an elongated stock having a circular opening at a medial portion, a bubble glass carrying unit rotatably mounted within the opening, said unit comprising a cylinder for disposition through the opening and provided with a wall at one end thereof, said wall being provided with a bevelled flange peripherally disposed and opposing one side of the stock, a pointer on the bevelled flange, said stock being provided with graduations thereon, adjacent the bevelled flange, the other end of the cylindrical portion protruding beyond the opposite side of the stock and provided with threads, a ring internally threaded for disposition on the threaded portion of the cylindrical portion and provided with a pointer, graduations on the last mentioned side of the stock, opposed to the ring, a threaded 3 member feedable into the stock and provided with a bevelled head engageable with the bevelled flange for holding the rotatable bubble glass carrying unit fixed, said wall being provided with a bubble glass.

E LMER J. RANTZ.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

Number 4 UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Lemon July 10, 1883 Desmarais Dec. 16, 1902 Collins July 28, 1914 Belleville Nov. 25, 1919 Patton Jan. 31, 1928 Karnes Sept. 13, 1938 

